Advisor I, Community Engagement, Lubumbashi, DRC

Overview

The Community Engagement Advisor I works to ensure meaningful and effective integration of women’s reproductive health perspectives and needs across Ipas’ DRC programs. The Advisor I provides strategic input and technical assistance in implementing and managing projects, and collaborates with partners and other stakeholders to advance the key objectives of the community engagement work. This position coordinates and implements training and awareness-raising programs and workshops in different community groups (faculty, unions, youth, women’s groups, etc.) to increase knowledge and self-efficacy, reduce barriers, address stigma and improve social support related to sexual and reproductive rights.

The CE Advisor I provides technical and programmatic support and oversight to sub-grantee Community Based Organizations as they are implementing action plans, integrating safe abortion activities in their existing work, and providing support to existing community structures within the public health system, including the designing, pretesting and distribution of IEC materials.

Responsibilities

• Develops community engagement strategies, approaches, project designs, timelines, budgets, and work plans in collaboration with other in-country team members and based on community needs;
• Establishes and develops links with organizations, institutions and interest groups to promote knowledge, skills and social support so women can exercise their sexual and reproductive rights;
• Designs and implements community-based interventions, training programs and awareness raising workshops in coordination with institutions/organizations;
• Supports partner organizations in the development of effective strategies, plans and helps monitor work plans and budgets, ensuring the scope of the project is aligned with Ipas’ strategy and donor requirements;
• Participates in the development and facilitation of capacity building training for partner NGOs and community-based organizations (CBOs); Community Health Workers/Volonteers
• Participates in the monitoring and evaluation process of programs, and ensures that CBOs and women’s groups are complying with Ipas’ standard operating procedures on project and reporting activities;
• Participate in Researches, preparations , reviews, and dissemination of relevant publications, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) messages, community program materials and training curriculum to be used by Ipas’ DRC programs;
• Works with vendors and designers to ensure that materials are produced in a way that best reflects Ipas’ objectives and messages; ensures that all training and orientation materials include content that is applicable to relevant community groups;
• Provides technical assistance to allied groups on methodologies and logistics required for knowledge management;
• Provides technical and strategic input to donor proposals and donor reports (narrative reports, work plans, etc.)
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Communication

• Collaborates with Senior Health Systems Advisor to develop, improve and implement community engagement activities and projects
• Works with the Health Systems unit in reference to creating links between the units initiatives and coordinating activities with health personnel
• Communicates with Research & Evaluation colleagues around field data and internal and external studies
• Reports to the in-country Director in reference to community engagement program implementation, deadlines and issues
• Communicates with outside project consultants to ensure projects are implemented in the appropriate manner and that community-specific content is emphasized where applicable
• Manages relationships with partner NGOs, CBOs, and women’s groups, monitoring and assisting in program implementation and management

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• 3- 4 years’ experience, preferably in a similar role with community-based groups and populations
• 1-2 years project management experience,
• Must have the ability to work with differing community populations including adolescents and women’s groups, especially in the areas of communication and training
• Must have knowledge of community structures and entry points, including organizations and coalitions.
• Fluency in French and conversant in English
• Ability to travel 25% of the time

Preferred

• Knowledge and experience in community mobilization, capacity building and training of community groups
• Working knowledge of grant management
• Working knowledge of community entry strategies
• Experience in monitoring and mentoring communication initiatives in the field